Agiooros( Mount Athos)
Mount Athos is the last prong and the most beautiful of all.It Is known as the Holy Mountain and it is home to a semi-autonomous, all-male monastic community. Mt. Athos is the center of the global Orthodox religion - an area of mystique, contemplation, and isolation. Athos is covered with virgin forests and it is full of inaccessible mountain crests, thickly wooded slopes that plunge down into the deep sea and broad bays fringed by sandy beaches. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
There are three wondrful camping sites that you can stay at. One of them, Ammouliani camping, is found on a little island. From these camping sites you can visit the world famous monasteries.
However, You would have to know that a decree issued in the mid-11th century prohibits women from entering the world's
sole monastic state. Men wishing to visit the Holy Mountain are admitted by
special permit only. No video cameras are allowed and foreigners must prepare a
number of documents in the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace in Thessaloniki
several days before their visit.
Due to the fact that Mt. Athos is cut off from the outside world, those who wish to visit the area they must follow one of the routes presented below Get to Ierissos by car or bus. Then take a boat which goes to the monasteries of the eastern side of the peninsula. However, this line only operates during the summer. Go to Ouranoupolis by car or bus and then by boat to the monasteries of the western side.
Visitors may tour Mt. Athos by using the ancient stone-paved paths which lead from one monastery to another. However, they are advised to travel in-group or with a guide, since the dense vegetation has overgrown many of the paths and the sign posting is poor. Another traditional way to tour the mountain is by riding a mule. Mules and horses can be hired at Karyes, and come with drivers who are well acquainted with the routes on the mountains.
Ouranoupoli, 147 km from Thessaloniki, was founded by refugees from Asia Minor and is Mt Athos' main port. It's the last town on secular Mt Athos before one reaches the monastic republic. It is home to around 780 people and known for its sandy beaches. Every visitor should not miss this corner of Halkidiki. Ouranoupolis offers endless sandy beach lapped by the clear blue sea.
Remember,boats leave daily for tours around Mt. Athos, allowing views of the monasteries.
Vessels also operate between the village and Chalkidiki's only inhabited island,
that of Ammouliani, the campsite is clean and the beach an unforgetable experience.